The Honest Truth

Three Simple Requirements

2012-01-18T09:52:00.001-06:00

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." (Micah 6:8)

The Lord used the prophet Micah to deliver a powerful message of correction to the children of Israel. They were acting like stubborn, rebellious children, and God wanted to get their attention. God demanded, "Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints" (6:1 NLT). God wanted to know why they had turned their backs against Him after He delivered them from Egyptian slavery. Had God ever done anything to them to deserve their treachery? He declared, "O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me" (6:3 KJV). They could not answer the Lord.

The prophet Micah then says to them, "What can we bring to the Lord? What kind of offerings should we give him?" Could the children of Israel bring their young calves to sacrifice? What about bringing a thousand rams to sacrifice? What about offering ten thousand rivers of olive oil to the Lord? Or worst, would sacrificing their firstborn child be sufficient to pay for their sins? (6:6-7 NLT).

The Lord does not require huge sacrifices or heaps of gold and silver, but He does require us "to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God" (6:8 KJV). Yes, we have all fallen short of the glory of God. We have all failed the Lord many times over and over. Many have turned their backs on Him after He poured out blessing upon blessing.

If you want to successfully live for God, it can all be summed up in those three things:

Do Right,
Love Mercy and
Walk Humbly.

If you are praying, listening to the voice of God, reading His Word, attending church and engaging in Godly fellowship, then you can easily fulfill these three requirements. God has not asked us to do the "impossible." That's His job!

Don't make living for God any harder than it needs to be.

Putting Up a Fight

2012-01-11T09:04:00.001-06:00

Romans 13:11-13
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

This is my first blog entry for 2012. By the way, Happy New Year! Our church has just entered a powerful revival where the power of God is so strong in every service. Faith seems so easy to obtain. The blessings of God are flowing freely. People are yielding themselves to the Will of God.

While I am boasting of God's greatness at the beginning of this year, it also seems like the enemy is fighting harder than ever. Of course, anytime you step into the flowing waters of God's presence, the enemy will do everything possible to flip your boat over and get you to drown in those waters.

Why does the enemy work so hard? Wouldn't it be easier to just sleep through it all and allow the enemy of our soul to do as he pleases? The answer can be found in the words of the Apostle Paul. He said, "Now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."

It is time to wake up! It is time to stir yourself out of slumber, self-pity, despair and put on your fighting gloves. Paul said for us to "cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour light." Imagine that! The only way to enjoy the victory is by putting on the armor of light and putting up a fight!

I believe God intended for His children to be mighty warriors, suited up in the finest armor, shining as the bright sun, holding up our swords and charging ahead. God had NO intentions for us walk around gloomy, downcast, depressed and sipping on the cup of bitterness.

We need to cast off the darkness and violently shake ourselves until we feel fire flowing through our veins again. We need to repent, pray, walk honestly and come alive again.

I hope you discover God's greatness and power this year, despite how troublesome your trials, tribulations and spiritual warfare may be. You can overcome the darkness and come forth shining brighter than ever! In Jesus Name!

Is God Ashamed of You?

2011-12-05T10:07:00.001-06:00

"But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city" (Hebrews 11:16).

Is God ashamed of you? Now, here's something to really consider. What does God think of your life, your actions, your words and your thoughts?

Here in the text, we find Paul writing about Abraham, Sarah, Abel, Noah, Enoch and many more. These were people of awesome faith. God called upon them to serve Him, leave family and possessions behind. All of them died in the faith without ever receiving the promises of God in their lifetime.

These people of faith desired a better country, that is a heavenly country. They embraced the promises of God. They confessed before all men that God is the God of All. They were strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Because of their lives, actions and faith, the Scripture says, "Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God."

How awesome is that? God was not ashamed of them. God was not disgraced by their lives. God desired their fellowship, so He prepared a city for them to inhabit for eternity.

What about us today? Does God desire our fellowship? Have we demonstrated faithfulness and lived a life that makes Him proud to know us? If you truly desire God's fellowship, then you have to diligently seek after Him. You need to take up your cross and deny the flesh. You have to submit yourself to His Will and crucify your own stubborn will.

Is it easy to do? Hardly not! But the rewards far surpass anything your mind can comprehend. Your ultimate goal is to give glory to God. You were created for this purpose.

Friendships - Part 2

2011-11-20T23:40:00.001-06:00

" If I associate with chickens, I will learn to scratch at the ground and squabble over crumbs. If I associate with eagles, I will learn to soar to great heights. I am an eagle. It is my destiny to fly." --- Andy Andrews

What an incredible, yet simple fact of life! Face it. If you want to be a chicken, hang out with chickens. If you want to be an eagle, hang out with eagles. Have you considered how your friends influence your attitude and perception on life? People who are ambitious in life usually have ambitious friends. People who are drug addicts usually have drug addict friends. This is a fairly simple concept, yet so many people have yet to come to grips that they might need to change friends.

So, what is a friend? According to one dictionary, a friend is "one attached to another by affection or esteem." In the Scriptures, we learn "a friend loveth at all times" (Proverbs 17:17). Also, the Bible defines a friend as "which is as thine own soul" (Deuteronomy 13:6).

Friends are important in life because we need people to show affection and esteem towards us. We need people to love us during the best times and the most turbulent times. We need people who try to understand us and look into our souls, beyond our faults and failures. Friends help bring stability in life. A true friend provides wholesome counsel, even when we don't want to hear it.

I suppose one of the finest examples of friendships can be found in the lives of David and Jonathan. How unfortunate that Jonathan's death ended their friendship prematurely! Both were great men and both had a good understanding of God's purpose and plan for the nation of Israel. While Jonathan could have been filled with jealousy and rage, he was humble enough to help David excel to the greatest position in all of Israel. Jonathan knew David was destined to become the next king.

A real friend steps aside because he knows when he's out of place. A real friend doesn't compete with you while you are climbing the ladder of success. A real friend swallows his pride and helps you along the way.

What kind of price are you willing to pay to become a friend? Are you just interested in scratching the ground and squabbling over crumbs in life like a chicken? Perhaps, it is time to check out your feathery friends. Do they have the feathers of a chicken or an eagle? I want to be a friend who soars in the kingdom of God. No, my life may not measure up to your expectations, but all I care about is measuring up to God's expectations. And it would be nice to have a friend or two along the way!

Friendships - Part 1

2011-11-14T15:28:00.001-06:00

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, And one of the best things you can be." -- Douglas Pagels

Interestingly enough, that quote is 100% correct according to the Scripture.

Proverbs 18:24
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

I need friends. You need friends. We need to be friends. Everyone needs a friend. Life is too short, too complicated, too stressful and too lonely to not have friends. Are friends perfect? You should already know the answer to that question because YOU are not perfect. Don't forget that friends are human just like you. They have insecurities, disappointments, tragedies, pity parties, and headaches like everyone else in life.

Sometimes, friendships are lopsided just like marriages can be at times. Relationships are never 50/50 all the time. There will be periods where you are giving 90% and only receiving 10% in your friendship. Just make sure it is not like that all year long.

We need to be cautious in our friendships. While some friendships can strengthen you, other friendships can drag you down and ruin your life. One wise man said, "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go" (Proverbs 22:24). Hot-tempered, violent friendships are not good for us. And friends who find fault with everyone and cut others down every chance possible are not going to help your attitude in life either.

In the New Testament, we find warnings about building friendships with the people of the world. Now, don't misunderstand this! Jesus was a friend to sinners, but He didn't compromise His teachings to make them feel safe, warm and fuzzy while they were living in their sins. He befriended them to demonstrate God's love and draw them closer to Him.

James 4:4
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

More than likely, your closest friends are going to share your morals, values and beliefs. That's just natural. And furthermore, Christians need to have strong, solid Christian friends who are not going to steer them in the wrong direction. Godly friendships will provide a shoulder to lean on during difficult times and provide godly advice. You will not find that among people who have no relationship with their Creator or they are merely "Sunday only" Christians.

If you need a friend, then pray and ask God to send you a friend. Show yourself friendly and be receptive to the people who cross your path in life. Put a smile on your face and allow God to use you as a friend.

Ants are so very . . . wise!

2011-11-09T14:57:00.000-06:00

I just love this scripture.

Proverbs 30:25 (NKJV)
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;

I believe one could write an entire book about the wisdom found in this scripture. The ants are one of the tiniest creatures, yet they are so amazing in what they accomplish. They are not strong creatures in the sense of being able to attack you with vicious teeth or muscular strength. But they are determined, persistent and always on a mission!

According to this scripture, ants prepare their food in the summer. They know food won't always be available year round. During the good times, they are working, preparing and saving for the bad times.

What can we learn from this? I immediately think about my finances. What am I doing right now to prepare for next week, next month, next year or even 20 years from now? Just because I have money today doesn't mean I will have the same amount later.

God expects us to pay our bills and be good stewards of our finances. This means we live within our means. If you can't afford something, then you don't buy it. If you can't pay for a vacation before you go, then you don't go. If you can't afford to buy gifts, then you don't. If you can't afford a new car, then you don't buy a new car. It sounds so simple, yet too many people just don't get it!

What do you do when you get a lump sum of money? Do you blow it all at once, or do you put some back for a rainy day. Right now, we are living in a "rainy day." It seems more like a "rainy decade!"

Sure, we are living in tough economic times. Some of us are being forced into different lifestyles and different spending habits. Some Americans are suffering more now than they have ever suffered financially. I hope we are learning a lot from these difficult times. We need to spend less and save more. We need to work and save. And after that, we need to work and save some more!

The Ministry: God's Warning to "Walk the Walk"

2011-11-07T22:45:00.000-06:00

So, you think you want to be in the ministry? The ministry is definitely a whole new ball game so to speak. It possesses a different level of responsibility and dedication. While there is a special blessing by being involved in the ministry, God expects more from the individual.

There are unlimited examples in the scriptures where God called men into the ministry, but He was ultimately disappointed by their lack of obedience and dedication. Just take a look at the life of King Saul. God was so angry by Saul's lack of obedience, He swiftly stripped away Saul's anointing.

A very clear warning can be found in the Book of Malachi. God said, "And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you" (2:1). I would say God was being very clear who He was speaking to in this chapter. It was the ministry.

What was God so upset about it? Well, let's read about it.

"If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it" (2:2-3).

God was upset because the ministry was not giving glory to His name. And because of this sin and their lack of obedience to His commandments, He gave the priests a very severe warning. God was planning to do the following to them:

Curse their blessings.
Corrupt their seed
Spread dung on their faces.
Haul them and their dung off!

Doesn't sound good! The ministry is not the place for flakes or playboy preachers. When God places a calling on a person's life, He takes it very seriously. That individual would be better off to not receive the ministerial calling than to be an embarrassment to God's name.

New Website

2011-11-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

I recently created a new website: www.sundaydevotions.com. Here you can find devotions to include in your Sunday morning church bulletin. I have been writing devotions for our church bulletins off and on for about 7 years. Just thought it was time to share and have a little fun with a website. God Bless!

Success is Determined by YOUR Decisions

2011-11-04T11:38:00.001-05:00

I clearly remember my 12th grade economics teacher standing in the front of the class, saying, "You think you are so smart, knowing it all, but let me warn you now. When you walk across that stage on graduation night, there will be an invisible baseball bat waiting for you. You are going to get your head knocked off by the real world!"

How true! Unfortunately, most teenagers have the misconception that the world revolves around them and they look at life through a stain glass window. Little do they know how challenging life will be after graduating from high school. Starting from your high school years, EVERY decision you make in life has a huge impact on your future.

Look at the difference between the kid who drops out of high school and the kid who graduates from high school. Or better yet, look at the difference between the one who graduates with a Master's Degree and the one who never finishes his freshmen year of college.

What about the kid who can't seem to stay away from drugs and alcohol? What about the 20 year old guy who gets drunk on Friday night, sleeps over with his girlfriend and finds himself becoming a father only 9 months later? Hey, it is all about decisions!

Let's consider the guy who posts inappropriate pictures and videos of himself all over the Internet while he is in college. He thinks he is just being funny and totally cool! After all, he has a great body and he is proud of it! He graduates from law school and finds himself getting an interview at a prestigious firm. The interview went great and he really clicked with all the attorneys. Unfortunately, he never hears back and he never gets the job. WHY? They looked him up on the Internet and they were not impressed. Hey, it is all about decisions!

The girl was in love while she was in high school. Her handsome, sweetheart melted her heart every time he looked into her eyes. She felt magic and hot blood flowing through her veins. She never considered whether or not he had any ambition in life, how he managed his money, what kind of grades he earned in school or that he cut every corner possible. Life was grand and they got married right after graduation. 10 years have gone by and now they have three kids, one car, live in a trailer park, no phones, collect food stamps, and fill the trashcan up with debt collection letters. Hey, it is all about decisions!

If I sound cynical and cold, please don't misunderstand me! There are a few decisions in my life that I wish I could change, but my life is what I have made it. You can either choose to live for God and follow after His will, or you can choose to be stubborn and refuse the guidance of your Creator. If you are looking for help with your decisions in life, you had better drop to your knees and pray for wisdom and understanding that only comes from above. It is in your best interest to push your pride to the side and seek godly counsel from men/women who have proved themselves in life. Hey, it is YOUR decision.

What Am I Doing with My Life?

2011-11-01T23:41:00.000-05:00

Seriously? Have you ever asked yourself that question? What are you doing with your life? Are you working towards becoming a productive citizen in this world? Are you putting forth your best foot each day? Are you giving your whole heart to God, your spouse and your children? Are you encouraging others by the life you live?

I often wonder if half the population has ever asked themselves these questions. If you live in an area of the world where the poverty rate is high, how is that impacting your mindset? Are you motivated to change your situation, or are you content to continue in the vicious cycle of misery and pain?

Life, destiny, parents, stupid decisions, whatever you want to attribute your misery to --- doesn't have to dictate what you are going to do for the rest of your life. Wake up! Smell the fresh coffee! Open your eyes to greater horizons! Turn over a new leaf! Stop having a pity party!

God created you with a purpose. You weren't created because God got bored one day. You were born with a unique calling and purpose. Get up and do something about it. Seek the face of God until you hear from Heaven. Search the scriptures and receive some inspiration to do something with your life.

Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Divorce Rate for Cancer Patients

2011-10-31T14:07:00.000-05:00

I am ashamed of the male race after reading an article about divorce rates being higher for terminally ill cancer patients. It's almost always the man leaving the woman, according to a study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

In one study conducted at University of Massachusetts Medical School, 214 married people were diagnosed with a type of brain tumor that usually kills within a year. Within the year, 23 got divorced. In 18 of the 23 cases, the wife had the brain tumor.

Dr. Mike Glantz came to this conclusion, "In our culture, men just aren't accustomed , aren't trained, aren't exposed to being the primary caregiver in the setting of a devasting illness."
http://articles.cnn.com/2001-05-14/health/cancer.divorce_1_cancer-patients-breast-cancer-clinical-oncology?_s=PM:HEALTH

Come on guys! You don't leave your wife just because she is terminally ill. You don't walk out just because life is not "peaches and cream." You don't abandon your marriage because you are having to give 100% of your energy to your wife.

Whatever happened to the marriage vows: "To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part."

Terminally ill spouses (and even children) can create some very harsh, stressful living conditions. Yes, I believe it is one of the most difficult trials for any marriage. BUT, you (listen up men) have made a commitment to God and your spouse to be faithful during the best of times and worst of times.

Matthew 19:4-6
⁴And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
⁵And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
⁶Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Giving Gifts

2011-10-28T16:23:00.000-05:00

The holidays are quickly approaching. For most Americans, the greatest holiday of the year is Christmas. It is less than two months away! Thanks to a depressing economy and the world debt crisis, family budgets are tight again this year (at least at my house). You want to give gifts, but what do you do when the money is not there?

According to studies done by psychologists, it is best to keep giving gifts - just don't go overboard. Here's a little excerpt from an article found in the New York Times (12/11/07) by Tara Parker-Pope:

But while it’s reasonable to cut back on spending during the holidays, psychologists say that banning the gift exchange with loved ones is not the best solution. People who refuse to accept or exchange gifts during the holidays, these experts say, may be missing out on an important connection with family and friends. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/health/11well.html

What is the missing connection with family and friends? The missing connection is reciprocating love. Giving a gift provides you with the opportunity to show love and appreciation for someone else. A gift can be of any value. You may not have the funds to purchase an extravagant item, but maybe you can create a special card, bake cookies, or prepare a special meal. For example, instead of spending $100, spend whatever your current budget allows. Forget about last year's finances and focus on what you can do this year with your money.

While giving is important, I don't believe for one second that going into debt to give is appropriate or necessary. Although you may receive many invitations for birthday parties, receptions, baby showers, weddings, etc., you owe it to yourself to not cause financial harm to your family by going into debt. True, not everyone will understand your financial situation, but you have a responsibility to yourself and God to be a good steward of your finances.

Just don't be greedy with your money! Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:38 NKJV).

Remember, give it with love and not with regret. Give it with joy and not with resentment. Give it with sacrifice and not just with your abundance.

This is What I Don't Want to Become

2011-10-27T10:39:00.001-05:00

Many folks in the world believe the Bible was only written for the holy people of God. Well, that's far from the truth! If people were born holy and righteous, then why would we need a Bible?

Because we are all born into sin, we need the Bible to show us how to change. The ultimate goal is to become more like God in order to have more fellowship with Him.

Paul wrote to the young minister Timothy, "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for . . . " (1 Timothy 1:8-9).

The law (the Word of God) was written for me! I was not born as a "righteous man." I was born as a sinner. If I would not have given my life to God, I had the potential of becoming a very sinful person. Actually, I had the potential of developing into a very hideous creature that would need to be locked away somewhere.

The law (the Bible) has helped me to NOT become something like this:

Lawless and disobedient
Ungodly and sinful
Unholy and profane
Murderer of my father
Murderer of my mother
Manslayer (serial killer)
Whoremonger
Defiling myself with mankind (homosexual)
Man stealer (thief)
Liar
Perjured person (a false swearer)
And any other thing that is opposed to sound doctrine

This long list can be found in verses 9-10. Sin causes us to self-deteriorate and self-destruct into vile, disgusting creatures. But thank God for the WORD! The WORD has the power to convict us and change us into new creatures.

Never Underestimate a Father's Influence

2011-10-26T10:48:00.000-05:00

Today, I came across an interesting study about Fathers and Sons. In 1962, the members of the Society of Medical Psychoanalysts lead by Irving Bieber published the results of a comprehensive study of 106 homosexual men and 100 heterosexual men. According to the study (which can be found at www.fathersforlife.org),

Bieber found that the fathers of the homosexual patients were not just lazy or too-busy; these detached fathers exhibited severe male-rivalry problems which they took out on their sons. Not one of these detached fathers favored the patient over his brothers or sisters. Some of the relationships were totally barren, but in a larger number of cases the fathers actively rejected, minimized or otherwise crushed their sons' masculinity. These boys not only feared their fathers, they hated them for abandoning them to their mothers smothering influences.
http://fathersforlife.org/dale/childhood_of_homosexual_men_2.htm

Of course, I don't believe that all children of detached fathers are doomed to become homosexuals, but they will suffer greatly in their relationships with both men and women. The influence of a father is incredible. A father can build a child into a great man of God or a father can destroy a child's self-image until the child self-destructs.

What kind of father are you today? When was the last time you told your son or daughter how much you love them? Did you hug them before they went to bed last night? Did you express how proud you are of their achievements?

I work at a private Christian school. I observe the interactions of children. I observe their behaviors with other adults. Usually, the writing is on the wall when a father is absent or detached. The children suffer greatly.

Fathers, your children need you more than you will ever know or understand. Regardless of your upbringing as a child, regardless if you had a father at home or not, regardless if you were abused by a parent, YOUR CHILDREN need your love, affection, discipline, and attention.

It takes work to become the parent God wants you to be, but it is well worth! You will reap endless benefits in the years ahead.

Technorati.com

2011-10-25T13:48:00.002-05:00

claim token EY32VWRS77BR

Speak to Yourself - It's Good for You!

2011-10-25T11:14:00.000-05:00

People make jokes about "talking to yourself" but the Bible actually instructs us to do so.

Ephesians 5:19-20

19 - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 - Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

What is the point in complaining and murmuring to yourself all day? By doing so, you live in a constant state of irritation, frustration and anxiety. Your outlook on life grows dim and dark. Everyone becomes your enemy and all the problems of the world start weighing you down. This is certainly not God's plan for your life.

If we are going to talk to ourselves (which everyone does), then let's talk about good things! Stay focused on the positive aspects of life. Sing yourself a song about God's goodness and mercy. Think of an old hymn that brings a smile to your face. Ponder on the preacher's message you just heard at church on Sunday. Turn on the radio and listen to some godly music.

Began to give thanks to the Lord for all the wonderful things He has done for you. Remind yourself of the many answered prayers God has given you. Reflect on the times you have felt the presence of God so strongly in your life. God is waiting to have a special time of fellowship with you. And sometimes, it can begin by speaking to yourself in "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Go ahead and try it!

The Benefits of Serving the Lord

2011-10-24T15:04:00.000-05:00

Exodus 15:26
And said, If thou wiltdiligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which isright in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all hisstatutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought uponthe Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

In the passage above, the Israeliteswere just delivered from the hands of the Egyptians. They watched the mighty hand of God part thewaters of the Red Sea and allow for a route of escape. Just as the last person stepped on the shoresof the other side, Israel watched all of Pharaoh’s army drown before theireyes. But after traveling for three daysin the wilderness, they had yet to find water. Finally, they came upon the waters of Marah, but the water was toobitter to drink. They began to murmurand complain to Moses. God spoke toMoses and gave him specific instructions. Instantly, the waters became sweet and once again, God proved Himself tobe a Provider.

Just as the people of Israel had tolearn through trials and tribulations, we have to learn that God is faithful toprovide. Regardless of what we face inlife, we must serve Him with all our heart. He rewards those who diligently seek him.

Moses reminded the Israelites ofthree important ingredients for living for God:
1. Diligently follow the voice of the Lord.
2. Do that which is right in the eyes of the Lord.
3. Hear and keep His commandments.

Does it seem asthough you are facing the Red Sea in your life? Can you hear your enemies’ footsteps following close behind? Does it seem like you have nowhere toturn? It might appear your only optionsare to sink or swim! Cast fear aside andcall on the Lord. Listen for His voice,continue to do right in spite of the opposition, and keep His commandments.

Your faithfulness to Him will surely bring great rewards. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation" (Psalm 68:19). He will show up right on time and pour out His blessings!